World T.E.A.M. Sports Board Member Recognized with David Award

By Richard Rhinehart

Holbrook, New York, February 6, 2014 – One of World T.E.A.M. Sports‘ most dedicated supporters, board member Lon Dolber was recognized by Networking® magazine as one of eight business and academic leaders receiving the annual David Award in a January 16 ceremony in Woodbury, New York. The award is presented annually by the national magazine to individuals for outstanding accomplishments and humanitarian acts.

A participant in World T.E.A.M. Sports’ annual Face of America ride from the Pentagon to the historic battlefields of Gettysburg, Dolber prefers to serve as a facilitator, rather than be someone who is singled out for praise or attention. “As a trained salesman, I’m very good at convincing people to do things they would never have considered doing before—like climbing a mountain or riding bicycles cross country with wounded warriors,” the President of American Portfolios Financial Services said.

At the ceremony, Dolber was joined by 35 colleagues, family members and friends, including World T.E.A.M. Sports’ CEO and President, Van Brinson. Dolber was introduced to the audience by WFAN Radio Sports Host and Correspondent Ann Liguori. A past guest on her weekly Sports Innerview program on Peconic Public Broadcasting, Dolber is clear in his strong support for disabled athletes.

Personally raising more than $350,000 for World T.E.A.M. Sports programs in the last few years, Dolber has participated in several events with the non-profit. He joined Chairman and Founder James Benson in the January 2007 Return to Kilimanjaro expedition, in which seven developmentally disabled athletes climbed Africa’s highest mountain.

In 2007, Dolber participated in the Real Deal Inclusive Sports Adventure in Colorado, an event that would grow and expand as the Adventure Team Challenge. Two years later, he participated as a team member in the successful American and Canadian Coastal Team Challenge along the Pacific coast from Washington to British Columbia.

New York sports host Ann Liguori and Lon Dolber at the ceremony. Photo by Miranda Gatewood, Courtesy of Networking® magazine.

American Portfolios Financial Services in 2010 created the Adventure Team Challenge at Frost Valley, New York, an inclusive event in the Catskill Mountains, inspired by Dolber’s participation in Colorado’s Adventure Team Challenge. The annual three day event offers developmentally disabled children from the Center for Discovery active participation in outdoor sports such as cycling, mountain climbing and canoeing.

American Portfolios Financial Services and Dolber’s Face of America team is usually one of the top two or three fundraisers for the 110-mile, two-day ride each April. The team of 30 riders includes disabled veterans along with Dolber and his colleagues, and is well-supported through innovative fundraising events such as comedy club programs and musical concerts.

“Lon has been a stalwart supporter of this organization for several years now. Awards such as this only validate what we already knew about him. His contributions as a board member continually raise the bar and allow us to pursue our mission,” said Brinson of Dolber’s dedication to World T.E.A.M. Sports.

The David Awards were created by Networking® magazine as a means to honor exceptional regional business, academic and community leaders who have shown a “Renaissance” style of leadership. The magazine’s February/March edition will include full information about the award, presented by Bank of America.

World T.E.A.M. Sports is a 20-year, national non-profit organization that creates and manages inclusive sporting events for disabled and able-bodied participants. We use athletics to challenge disabled men, women and children to accomplish goals they never thought possible. At our events, disabled participants build self-confidence and physical fitness and provide a role model for other disabled citizens, encouraging them to take up physical activities. Disabled athletes also inspire other participants and spectators when they see disabled individuals meeting challenges beyond anyone’s imagination. Working as a team to overcome challenges, disabled and able-bodied participants change lives through sports.

Lon Dolber, left, presents an award to Canada’s Soldier On Team at the 2013 Face of America ride banquet in Arlington, Virginia. World T.E.A.M. Sports’ Chairman James Benson holds the award. Photograph by Paul Tyler.